1. The way an audience perceives the play is shaped by the choice of performance venue, as well as the set that is designed for the play. Indeed, all the elements that you see and hear during a performance are bound to shape your perception of the play. Which of the following venues do you think can best meet the needs of the play?
Choose one of the follow and explain why you have selected this kind of venue. proscenium, arena, thrust, flexible
I think the proscenium stage would be the best kind of stage for this play. The wings sit on both sides of the stage used to store items and for the actors to stay before they come onto the stage. I feel this would be the best because it could deal with the diverse nature of the play. When meaning this, I mean with the lighting, scenes, and atmosphere. This is so because the play’s scenes take place in very different settings. It will be easy to go back and forth between the scenes.
2. What are some of the challenges posed by the play on the stage design team?
I honestly feel that transitioning between the scenes would be the biggest challenge. This is so because the scenes are so different. They will have to deal with the opening scene on the street then transition to the office, then the bar, etc. Since they are such diverse settings, constantly moving from one to another would be very difficult. I feel the setting accuracy is very important in this play, as it helps contribute to the overall mood and tone of the play.
3. Choose a character from the play and suggest how she/he should be dressed. In what ways do you think the costume would help accentuate his/her character? Be sure to indicate which scene you have selected to costume that character. You might even upload a picture of the kind of dress you think would be suitable for that character to wear.
For William Willis, I feel he should be dressed in a very unlikeable way. He should be messy or even dressed in a somewhat weird way. This is so due to his racist personality and that making him look out of it which will make the audience dislike him even more. Some ideas of how he could be dressed are shown below. Making him have torn clothes might be the best way to dress him. Here are some ideas(click on links below):
4. Given the content of the play, how might the lighting design help further the mood of the production? Move thru the play scene by scene to provide a possible progression.
Overall, the lighting in this play should be on the darker side, to represent the tone and mood of the play. It should definitely be dark in the first scene. As the play progresses, I feel the lighting should be pretty much the same. The only time where the lighting should be on the lighter side is maybe when they are in the precinct. This is so because precincts are usually well lit. I do feel though that dark lighting there could work as well.
5. Suggest music or sound effects that might be used to accentuate the mood or atmosphere of the play and the transitions between parts of the play. You might even choose to upload music or sound effects that you think are suitable for the play, or moment in the play, or as preshow music or transitions from one scene to another.
I feel that sound effects would greatly help the tone of the opening scene. It should be done in the “split second” when Val shoots Willis. It should be very intense to enhance the seriousness of the scene. There should also be some sound elements in when Val lies to Parker, as I feel that was a very crucial moment in the play as well. During the other scenes, I feel more depressing sounds might be more appropriate for a proper mood.
Choose one of the follow and explain why you have selected this kind of venue. proscenium, arena, thrust, flexible
I think the proscenium stage would be the best kind of stage for this play. The wings sit on both sides of the stage used to store items and for the actors to stay before they come onto the stage. I feel this would be the best because it could deal with the diverse nature of the play. When meaning this, I mean with the lighting, scenes, and atmosphere. This is so because the play’s scenes take place in very different settings. It will be easy to go back and forth between the scenes.
2. What are some of the challenges posed by the play on the stage design team?
I honestly feel that transitioning between the scenes would be the biggest challenge. This is so because the scenes are so different. They will have to deal with the opening scene on the street then transition to the office, then the bar, etc. Since they are such diverse settings, constantly moving from one to another would be very difficult. I feel the setting accuracy is very important in this play, as it helps contribute to the overall mood and tone of the play.
3. Choose a character from the play and suggest how she/he should be dressed. In what ways do you think the costume would help accentuate his/her character? Be sure to indicate which scene you have selected to costume that character. You might even upload a picture of the kind of dress you think would be suitable for that character to wear.
For William Willis, I feel he should be dressed in a very unlikeable way. He should be messy or even dressed in a somewhat weird way. This is so due to his racist personality and that making him look out of it which will make the audience dislike him even more. Some ideas of how he could be dressed are shown below. Making him have torn clothes might be the best way to dress him. Here are some ideas(click on links below):
https://www.zumiez.com/crysp-denim-pacific-bleached-ripped-jeans.html
https://pp.vk.me/c625723/v625723155/359fa/VeHQmWzsC4o.jpg
4. Given the content of the play, how might the lighting design help further the mood of the production? Move thru the play scene by scene to provide a possible progression.
Overall, the lighting in this play should be on the darker side, to represent the tone and mood of the play. It should definitely be dark in the first scene. As the play progresses, I feel the lighting should be pretty much the same. The only time where the lighting should be on the lighter side is maybe when they are in the precinct. This is so because precincts are usually well lit. I do feel though that dark lighting there could work as well.
5. Suggest music or sound effects that might be used to accentuate the mood or atmosphere of the play and the transitions between parts of the play. You might even choose to upload music or sound effects that you think are suitable for the play, or moment in the play, or as preshow music or transitions from one scene to another.
I feel that sound effects would greatly help the tone of the opening scene. It should be done in the “split second” when Val shoots Willis. It should be very intense to enhance the seriousness of the scene. There should also be some sound elements in when Val lies to Parker, as I feel that was a very crucial moment in the play as well. During the other scenes, I feel more depressing sounds might be more appropriate for a proper mood.